Harman Kardon is crystal clear with new speakers

Last night saw the launch of Harman Kardon’s new GLA-55 speakers, just in time for Christmas.

This is the company that created the popular Soundsticks, which have since been officially designated ‘art’ by the Museum of Modern Art in New York and placed in their permanent collection. The GLA-55 speakers are just as arresting: half-crystal, half-freaky alien dinosaur egg.

They sound as clear as they look, with a powerful bass (and the option to add your own woofer) and CMMD tweeters – the material found in extremely high-end systems. The Computer-Optimized Equalization smooths out uneven mp3s, so you can simply plug your iPhone in via the audiojack and be sure of a great sound. But it’s as a desktop system that the speakers work best, especially if you’re streaming audio and video on your computer.

The system’s compatible with all desktop computers, laptops and personal media players. It costs £749.99 and is available through the Apple store only, either online or at Regent Street, but will be sold through other retailers in the New Year.